Flights added for Spring Festival

Domestic carriers have ramped up efforts to launch more flights during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush to cater to growing demand, with the number of flights taken forecast to hit a record high.

Over the 40-day period that began on Jan 14 and concludes on Feb 22, some 9 billion trips are expected to take place, with passenger volumes for both rail and air set to hit record highs, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

A total of 16 domestically developed C919 aircraft are being put into service during the Spring Festival travel rush to satisfy the strong passenger demand. Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines has put 10 C919 jets into service, operating flights such as between Beijing and Shanghai.